INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz kicked off the Indiana Department of Education's family focused literacy initiative, "Hoosier Family of Readers." The initiative is a statewide collaboration with public libraries, non-profits, faith-based organizations and companies throughout Indiana aimed at encouraging families to spend time each day reading with their children during the summer and school year.

"School is about to end for the summer, but in Indiana, learning never ends," said Superintendent Ritz. "This summer, we will be working with libraries, faith-based organizations and companies throughout the state to make sure Hoosier children read throughout the summer. Studies have shown that reading just 20 minutes a day can have a dramatic impact on students' achievement, not just in language arts, but also math and science."

The program has 164 partners in 74 counties. For a list of partners and more information, please visit http://www.doe.in.gov/hoosierreaders. Celebrity sponsors include Brianne January of the Indiana Fever, New York Times best-selling author John Green, Garfield and Clifford the Big Red Dog.